NUJ Rate for the Job:
recent rates for Shifts / regional
Updated: 2022-07-19
These rates have been reported by members of the National Union of Journalists and others, and printed in the Freelance, newsletter of London Freelance Branch. They are sorted by publisher/publication, then by date (most recent first). TIP: Use the "Find in page" command under your browser's "Edit" or "Search" menu to be sure of finding all occurrences of a publication/publisher. AND do note the year in which the rate was reported! See also the Freelance Fees Guide, which gives general recommendations. And read the disclaimer and the key to exactly what the entries mean.
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Writing and editing work for regional newspapers, paid by the day or the hour. Mostly sub-editing: checking and proofreading copy and making it fit the house style and design. (Actual publication/programme names appear before publishers and generic rates) See also national papers. If you are interested, the archived rates are here. | ||||||
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Publication / Programme - details & terms | Group | Year | ![]() |
Total paid | GR |
XXXX |
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NE England local freesheets (run by ex-proper-paper staff) reporting or subbing day , terms - at least | 2018 | ![]() |
100.00 | |||
Regional press reporting day (via #FreelancerPayGap) | 2020 | ![]() |
120.00 | |||
Key to the rates, by column: |
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1 Publication / Programme, any details of work and licence | ||||||
2 Owner at the time the rate was reported, where known | Group | |||||
3 The year in which the rate was reported | Year |
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4 Currency: either ![]() ![]() ![]() | ![]() |
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5 Amount paid (total of basic licence and extra licences for web use, database resale...) | Amount |
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7 "Going Rate" according to experienced NUJ members - do try to better it: | GR |
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or Minimum rate set out in NUJ House Agreement: | HA |
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8 Underpaid, in the fallible opinion of the Freelance editor: | ![]() | 50.00 | X |
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or Just sometimes we're pleasantly surprised: | ![]() | 1500.00 | O |
Other recent rates:
Type of work: | In the "sector": (click or tap below!) | ||||||
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Words, per 1000 | News | Local | Mag | online | Book | PR | Other |
Words, other | News | Local | Mag | online | Book | PR | Other |
Photography | News | Local | Mag | online | Book | PR | Other |
Broadcasting | News | Local | Other including podcasting | ||||
Shifts | News | Local | Mag | online | Book | PR | Other |
Other: | Cartoons | Crosswords | Illustration | Punditry | Retainer | Teaching | Tip-off | Translation | ||||||
Recently reported rates | all from the past few months |

